“It’s an interesting idea,” I said. Actually, I thought it was a crazy idea. Was I going to follow in Mother’s footsteps, and teach my children that when they couldn’t say anything nice, they should fall back on the word “interesting?” I’d decide later. “But maybe you shouldn’t spread your theory around too widely.”
“Why not?”
“Imagine how Chief Burke will feel if whoever he arrests tries to use that as a defense,” I said. “ ‘Tawaret made me do it.’ ”
“You’re just humoring me,” she said.
“I’m just trying to cheer you up,” I said. Would she feel better if I told her Tawaret wasn’t the actual murder weapon? Maybe, but maybe not. And I’d promised Chief Burke I wouldn’t tell anyone. “Look,” I said aloud. “I don’t think Tawaret magically convinced anyone to kill Dr. Wright. The killer made his—or her—own decision.”
“Thank you,” she said. “But I’m still going to consider this an important lesson!”
She looked very determined. I wasn’t sure quite what lesson she was learning from today’s events. Never give presents large enough to become murder weapons? Never trust pagan goddesses who might have their own agendas? Time would tell. I closed my eyes and tried to wiggle into a comfortable position.
“Good news!”
I opened one eye to see Dr. Blanco standing in front of us looking much more cheerful than before.
“The president is coming!” Blanco said.
“You mean all the way from Washington?” Rose Noire asked.
I choked back my laughter. Yes, given the mingled awe and excitement in Blanco’s voice, I could see how she might jump to the conclusion that we’d be meeting the occupant of the White House.
“No, the president of the college,” Blanco said.
“Oh,” Rose Noire said. “Well, that’s nice.” She hurried off. I gathered from her tone that either she’d met The Face before or she remembered some of our stories about him.
Her lack of enthusiasm seemed to take all the starch out of Blanco. His shoulders slumped and he seemed smaller and not nearly as imposing.
“He’s coming out to see the rehearsal,” Blanco said. “So he can judge for himself what action to take.”
He sounded anxious. No wonder. He’d lost a staunch ally in Dr. Wright. He’d spent the day with people who obviously wouldn’t mourn if he met the same fate. And now his boss was coming, no doubt to take personal charge of a matter that Blanco thought he was being allowed to handle. To my astonishment, I found myself feeling sorry for him.
“I’ve got to get things ready!” Blanco exclaimed, and dashed out.
“Meg, dear.” Mother appeared in front of me. “What was Dr. Blanco so upset about?”
“I think he was excited, not upset,” I said. “The Fa—the college president is coming to see the rehearsal. Damn. I should go back in to make sure he finds his way out here.”
“Surely he’ll see the lights coming from the backyard and realize that everyone is out here in the barn,” Mother said.
“I doubt it,” I said. “In fact, unless Dr. Blanco stations himself in the hallway awaiting his arrival, The Face will probably just stand there ringing the doorbell until someone hears him. Or until he gets tired, after an hour or so, and goes home puzzled and insulted. And possibly with frostbite in his fingers and toes.”
Mother gave me a sharp look, realized I wasn’t kidding, and closed her eyes. Counting to ten before saying anything, no doubt. I’d learned the habit from her. Though I doubted I’d ever master the air with which she did it, as if bearing up nobly in spite of almost overwhelming trials. When I counted to ten, I usually just looked cross.
“Then we must station someone to make sure he’s let in promptly and brought back here where he can enjoy the buffet,” she said.
“I suppose I can do it,” I said. “Just let me finish this.”
“Rose Noire can do it,” Mother said. “It will be more restful for her.”
I followed Mother’s eyes. Yes, Rose Noire was probably overdoing it. Had probably been overdoing it ever since the students arrived, trying her best to see that our guests were well cared for. Now she seemed to be speeding around the barn on hyperdrive, darting into one of the sardana circles, then dashing out to wait on someone before dashing back and dancing frantically, as if to catch up.
I’d have been overdoing it myself if I hadn’t had the twins to slow me down and remind me that the students weren’t our guests, they were temporary fellow residents. And Rose Noire was probably driving herself even harder today out of guilt at bringing Tawaret into our lives.